Most of the time when I have pizza it's something so quick, cheap, and dirty it almost feels like a Secret Service outing in South America. It's true and I'm not going to act like I'm ashamed of it. The siren call of $5 Little Caesars is hard to resist, and lately I've been wondering if maybe I've lost my ability to appreciate pizza that you can't buy with just the change you dug from your couch cushions. A couple of weekends ago I decided to test myself with some pizza that has a better than average reputation. The Girlfriend and I decided to try Some Guys.
Located in an older strip mall at the corner of 62nd and Allisonville (other location 126th and Gray Rd.) Some Guys definitely doesn't look like much at all. In fact, unless you knew about it in advance or saw it while you were spending quality time at the discount tabacco shop you may not even have known it was there at all. When I first drove by it some time ago it looked so small from the outside I thought it was takeout only. However, when you finally walk in you're in for a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is bistroesque with deep warm colors, and while the seating area is small (protip: go early) its bigger than you would think.
After we walked in we were seated promptly and began to look at the menu. We decided to start off with a classic appetizer of garlic bread with cheese. While such a choice may seem pretty boring at first I have to say I'm a fan and I don't care...especially when it's done the way Some Guys does it. The bread was a crusty but soft sliced Italian roll and the garlic flavor was perfectly subtle. The cheese on top was melted without being burnt or crusty. The app was good, but the pizza is the reason to stay.
While the Some Guys menu is varied in terms of entrees and toppings we knew we were going with a pizza and desired a classic combination with a dressed up twist. The House Pepperoni with hand sliced pepperoni, ricotta cheese, and fresh basil was the perfect choice. It was the first time I had experienced any of those ingredients on a pizza and I was honestly blown away. The hand sliced artisan pepperoni was thick and crisp on the edges with the ideal hint of heat. I believe it may have ruined regular pepperoni pizza for me forever. The ricotta added a nice creamy element that was a great complement to the spice of the pepperoni. The fresh basil had been added before baking, which I thought was an interesting choice, but the basil and tomato sauce combination is always a winner. And speaking of the sauce, it was quite good but I suspect that a good number of you might say there wasn't enough on the pizza. I don't consider that a problem because I think of the sauce almost a condiment that adds flavor almost without being noticed. Just a personal preference. Also, I found the crust extremely appealing in that it was thin without being either too doughy or cracker-like which I consider the death knell of an otherwise great pizza.
Taste 10/10 I'm still yet to make it to the much vaunted Pizzology, but as of right now Some Guys makes the top of my list of pizza available in Indianapolis or surrounding areas. No complaints. Zero. Even our service was exceptional.
Value 10/10 A double perfect score and well worth it. We ordered garlic bread with cheese, 2 drinks, and a medium pizza for under 25 dollars. Considering that neither one of us went away hungry and the high quality of the food and service this is an absolute steal.
I agree, this is the best pizza in Indy and as a bonus is only about 3 miles from my house! The only things I don't like here is their BBQ chicken, it is strange and stingy. No problem though, I stick with the delicious traditional pizzas. Also, try the salads - enormous! A small salad makes a nice meal for one!
ReplyDeleteSold, due to this review. I'll get back with you after I eat there this week.....Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've been a pizza-loving citizen of Indianapolis for a number of years. YEARS before I knew that neapolitan was anything more than a variety of ice cream (I was the dorky 8 year old trying to get his parents to take him to the 'best of' from Indianapolis Monthly).
ReplyDeleteAnyway! Of Puccini's, Bazbeaux and Some Guys - the Indianapolis institutions - I think Some Guys is the best. My favorite pizza there is their version of the sundried tomato, garlic and basil... but you sure said it re: getting spoiled by that quality of pepperoni (you wont be disappointed by Pizzology's pep, IMO)
I will add that Some Guys features fairly priced pitchers of beer, which is pretty dang awesome.